1if you repeat rumors

or tell someone's secret.

If someone catches you

doing any of these things,

show how ashamed you are,

then others will forgive you.

When Not To Be Ashamed

Don't ever be ashamed

to do what is right,

even if others don't approve.

2For example, don't be ashamed

if you obey the Law

of God Most High;

or if a godless person

is on trial,

and you vote "innocent"

because you believe it's true;

3if you pay your fair share

of the expenses for business

or travel;

if you divide up an inheritance

among all those

who deserve a share;

4if you have accurate scales

for weighing what you buy

and sell;

if you buy much or little,

5or if you make a profit

on what you sell;

if you punish your children

when they need it;

if your slaves do wrong,

and you whip them

until they bleed.

Some Good Advice

6Husbands, if your wife

cannot be trusted,

or if a lot of visitors

will be in your home,

lock up everything of value.

7If you leave valuable items

with someone for safekeeping,

be sure to get a receipt,

and keep records of everything

you give or receive.

8Do not be embarrassed

to correct stupid fools

or even an older person

who is being immoral.

If you follow my advice,

others will honor you

for the lessons of wisdom

you have learned.

Advice to Fathers about Daughters

9 I know that secretly you fathers

worry about your daughters

and lose sleep, while questions

trouble your minds.

Will she find a husband?

Will he love her, 10and will she

be faithful to him?

Will she get pregnant

before she gets married

and leaves your home?

Or will she be able

to have children?

11If your daughter

always wants her own way,

watch her closely,

or she may embarrass you.

Your enemies will laugh,

and everyone in town

will talk about it.

Don't let her bedroom window

look down on the front door,

and a room without a window

is even better.

12Don't let men see her beauty,

and keep her away

from married women,

13because evil comes from women

as fast as moths that fly

from wool clothing.

14Women are the cause

of so much disgrace,

that the wrong things men do

are better than the good

done by women.

The Lord's Creation

15Now let me tell you

what the Lord has done;

this is what I have seen.

When he gives a command,

things begin to happen,

and his creatures obey.

16When the sun starts shining,

God's glory can be seen

in all the earth.

17Even his angels cannot explain

everything he has done,

because he wants all creation

to show how great he is.

18God knows everything--

from the unseen world

of the ocean floor,

to the secret thoughts

deep in our hearts,

to those things that change

from one age to the next.

19God explains the past to us

and tells what lies ahead;

he even shows us clues

to the mysteries of creation.

20Each thought and word

are known to him.

21The laws of nature

show his great wisdom.

God has never changed

and never will;

he has no need of advice.

22Look at his creation--

it sparkles with beauty,

23and year after year, each part

fulfills its purpose.

24Every part has an opposite,

and together,

they make creation complete,

25each one contributing

something good to the other.

Who could ever see enough

of such majestic beauty?